Beet harvester



April 1947- c. CHRISTIANSEN BEET HARVESTER Filed- July 6, 1944 4 Shets-Sheet 1 M w m a d C Christian-sew c. CHRISTIANSEN 2,418,575

BEET HARVESTER April 8, 1947.

Filed July 6, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ifia l hull uwi l ll, 1

April 8, 1947 0. CHRISTIANSEN BEET HARVES'I'ER Filed July 6, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3,

awe/whom G. Christian-sen,

April 1947. c. CHRISTIANSEN I 2,418,575

BEET HARVESTER Filed July 6, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 EEIEIHEHHHI ,0,,

Patented Apr. 8, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEET HARVESTER Christian Christiansen, St. Cloud, Minn.

Application July 6, 1944, Serial No. 543,687

17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for harvesting roots such as sugar beets, turnips and the like, and has particular reference to an improved machine for this purpose which is of the general type comprising plow means for loosening the roots, a pair of rotatable, upwardly and rearwardly inclined screw-members to grip the tops therebetween and to pull and elevate the roots, and knife means to cut the tops from the elevated roots.

One special and important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned with simple, practical means to gather and bunch the root tops as the machine advances and to direct the bunched tops between the screw members, thus to render the machine of materially higher efiiciency than similar prior machines which are devoid of root top gathering and bunching means.

Another special and important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned with simple, practical means to engage the root tops which project above the screw members and to divide them and bend them downwardly against and to hold them engaged with the screw members, whereby the screw members are rendered substantially positive in operation to pull and elevate substantially all of the roots.

Another special and important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned with simple, practical knife means, separate from the top severing knife means, to cut and recover from the severed root tops any severed root portions which may remain thereon.

The present machine preferably includes conveyor means to receive and elevate the several roots and to deliver them to a farm wagon or the like, and in this connection another special and important object of the invention is to provide means in the form of a pair of rotatable, cooperating disk elements to intercept the severed roots and to direct them onto the conveyor means.

Another special and important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned which embodies the improved features referred to and which at the same time, is of simple, practical construction and of low production, operation and maintenance costs.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in a root harvesting machine of the general type mentioned embodying the novel features of construction, combination. and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying, drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding.

parts in the different views:

Figure l is a top plan view of a root harvesting machine constructed in accordance with one.

practical embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a central, longitudinal sectionthrough the machine showing a root gathering disposition of the parts thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine showing the root gatherin parts thereof elevated.

Figure 4 is a front end view of the machine.

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view on line l1 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, l0 designates the main frame of the machine which may be formed from any suitable material and which, as viewed in plan, is of substantially U-shape as shown, the same comprising a pair of spaced apart side rails II, II connected together at their front ends by a cross rail l2. At or near its rear end, this main frame It is supported upon the axles l3, 13 of a pair of wheels [4, I4, while at its front end it is provided with suit able means such as the vertically disposed, apertured angle-iron members indicated at l5, whereby it may readily be attached to and supported at a desired elevation by a tractor or other power unit to be employed for pullin the machine and driving the operating parts thereof.

Near its front end the main frame iii carries a pair of plow elements I5, I6, which are vertically adjustable for plowing at different depths and which are laterally spaced apart to pass at opposite sides of the roots to be harvested. They are, moreover, disposed in forwardly and upwardly diverging relationship to each other so as initially to elevate and loosen the roots. Said plow elements are carried by the lower, inwardly di-. rected end portions of a pair of arms [1, H, which, at their upper ends, are connected together by a shaft [8 which extends transversely across the frame Ill and is mounted for rotation in bearings l9 carried by the side rails H, il. Thus, by rotating said shaft IS, the arms l1, 11, may be.

swung to adjust said plow elements for plowing at different depths and to elevate them entirely above the ground to permit the machine freely to be transported from place to place. For rotating the shaft 18, the same may have fixed thereto a lever 23, while for holding said shaft in any desired rotated position, said lever may 'carry a latch 2! for cooperation with a toothed segment 22 suitably fixed to the main frame it, as, for example, to the cross rail i2 thereof.

Within the main frame i is an. inner frame 23 which comprises a pair of spacedapart side rails 24, 24, a pair of upright 25, 25, rising from the rear end portions of said side rails 25, E i; respectively, a cross member 26 connectingv said uprights 25, 25, together at their upper ends, a pair of forwardly and downwardly inclined bracing members 21, 2?, extending between the upper ends of the uprights 25, 2-5 and-forward end portion of the side rails 2%, it, an arched a plate 30"riveted, welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the uprights 25, 25.

' ,Atflor near its rear end, the inner frame Zilfis pivotally mounted upon the wheel'axles l3, l3,

whereby it may. be swurrgj between raised andlowered positions; while mounted on the. shaft l8for free rotation relative thereto is a: lever 31 having an arm 32" connected with the arched member 28 so that by swinging said lever said inner frame may be swung between raised; and

loweredpositions. For holding said inner frame in any; desired. position of pivotal adjustment,

the lever 3im'ay carry a latch 33 forcooperation with atoothed. segment 3d fixed, to the inner frame It; as, for example; to the cross rail l2 thereof.

The re'ar'end portions of the'side rails 24. of the inner frame 23am inclined downwardlyand forwardly, while the front end portionsof' said side rails are angularly related to their said rear end portions so as to be disposed substantially horizontally when said inner frame in" its lowered; position.

At" th'eirfront ends the inner frame side rails 24",, 24, have secured" thereto housings 35", 35,1respectively; each of. which comprises an upper, h'orizontallydisposed'plate 35 anda lower, horizontally disposed plate tl, while upon the top of each upper plate 36. is suitably fastened a, bearingjmember 38'.

A p air'of upwardly; and rearwardly inclined screwmembers 39; 39, are; disposed'in side to side relationship'to eachother and'at their front ends are provided with trunnions it which are journaled in1the bearing members 38 and at their rear: ends are providedwith stub shafts which are journ'aled in suitable bearings carried by the plate. 33. Thus, said screw members are mounted" in the inner frame to be raisedand lowered therewith and, at the same time, are journaled for rotation;

The'screw. members 39 may be of any suitable construction, but preferably each comprises a roller'liz around which extends a helix 43 of'preferablycircular cross section. The rollers lzmay be either solid or hollow and either cylindrical or'conical, but in any event the helices 43. extend reversely relative to each other and in directions such that they cooperate to feed upwardly root tops disposed between the rollers when the latter are rotated in opposite directions 4 with their inner side portions moving upwardly and their outer side portions moving downwardly.

Moreover, said helices are disposed relative to tops between the: lower or lead ends of said screw members as the machine is advanced.

The chains it, i i are disposed at opposite sides of the central, vertical, longitudinal plane of the machine and each chain extends over a related series of three horizontally disposedrollers ieinounted between' the plates 3B, 3? of a related one of the housingst'li: Two.of" 'th.e ..roll.- ers of each series are mounted in spacedrelationship to' each other longitudinally of the,

machine adjacentto the central,verticallongitudinai' plane of the machine, one in advance of and the other below the front or: lead end of" therelated screw member 39.

The other or third roller of each series, is.

mounted in advance of andoutwardly withrespect to the forwardmost of thetwo first-mentioned rollers of the series. forward portions of the two chains 44, 44 cooperate to define a forwardly flaring mouth and a narrow throat with the mouth disposedin ad'- vance of the throat to gather the roottops. andv direct them into the throat where they are.

bunched, and the throat disposedito directthem between the forward or lead ends of the screw members 39', 39' to be picked up and elevated by.

the latter.

Disposed outwardly of the screw members, 39;

3.9 and located. a suitable distance forwardly of their rear ends, are two substantially vertically disposed shafts 46, 46 which are jo-urnaled' forrotation in upper andIlow-er bearings carried, for

example, bythe arched member 29, and. the side rails 24 of the inner. frame 23 and which have fixed thereto sprocket wheels '31,, respectively, over. which the endless chains l', extend, re.- spectively. Accordingly, by rotating said two shafts in opposite directions such that the inner reaches of the two. chains are causedto, travelI rearwardly, the forward or mouth. and throat forming portions'of" said chains are caused to operate to gather. and vbunchthe root topsand .to.

direct them between the lead. endsofl the screw.

members 39, .39, asv aforesaid.

The front portions of the chains 4 M, are

disposed substantially, horizontally, in the, planes of the front portions of the inner frame side rails 2'4, 24, respectively. On the, other hand,,the rear. portions ofsaidchains are inclined upwardlyv and rearwardly andiaredisposed substantially parallel to. the rear portions of said side rails 2 5,241 Where their said front: and' rear portionsmeet, said chains pass through guide elements ll-Lear.- ried by the side: rails 24, 24,-, whereby theirs-said front and rear portionszare maintainedangularly related to eachother for. propericooperation with the rollers-45 and the sprocket wheelsfii'll Hixedto the upper ends of theshaftidfi; as; are

helical gears 59', ii) respectively, withwhichimeslr companion helical gears 58, 563; respectivelmi which are fixed on substantially horizontally dis- Consequently, the

posed shafts 5|, 5|, respectively, mountedin suitable bearings carried by the cross member 26 and the arched member 29, respectively. The gears 49, 49, are disposed at the inner side of the gears 50, 50, respectively, so that by rotation of the latter gears in like directions the shafts 4B, 46 are driven in opposite directions.

Connected to the front end of one of the shafts 5| is a drive shaft 52 which extends forwardly above the frames l and 23 and is journaled in a suitable bearing 53 carried by the main frame If) at the front thereof. The front end portion of this drive shaft extends forwardly of said main frame for connection with the usual power takeoff shaft of a tractor hitched to said main frame. Accordingly, said power shaft may be driven at will by the tractor.

Sprocket wheels 54, 54, are fixed to the rear ends of the shafts 5|, respectively while another sprocket wheel 55 is fixed to the stub shaft 4| of one of the screw members 39 and over these sprocket wheels extends an endless sprocket chain 56. Moreover, the two stub shafts 4|, 4| have fixed thereon intermeshing pinion gears 51, 57, respectively. Manifestly, therefore, when the drive shaft 52 is driven, it operates to drive the shafts 45, 46, and, consequently, the root top gathering and bunching chains in opposite directions, and at the same time, to drive the root top gripping and root pulling screw members 39, 39 in opposite directions. In this connection, the arrangement of the helical gears 49, 59, is such, as shown, that rotation of the drive shaft 52 in a direction to cause the chains 44, 44 to gather, bunch and direct the root tops between the screw members 39, 39, rotates said screw members in directions to pull and elevate the roots.

Fixed to the shaft 46, 46 for rotation therewith and disposed directly beneath the screw members 39, 39, near their upper or rear ends, are disktype knives 58, 58, respectively, which cooperate to sever the roots from the root tops as the roots approach the rear or upper ends of said screw members.

Beneath the knives 5B, 58 the shafts 46, 46, have fixed thereon for rotation therewith disks 59, 59, respectively, upon which the severed roots fall. These disks 59, 59 have radial ribs 59 on their upper faces, or otherwise are suitably formed, so that they serve, as they rotate in opposite directions, to throw the severed roots rearwardly onto the front end portion of a trough 5| which ex tends upwardly and rearwardly to a suitable elevation and rearwardly to a suitable distance from the rear end of the machine for delivery of the roots from its rear or upper end into a farm wagon or the like which may be driven or drawn behind the machine. Alternatively, the trough 5| may extend laterally with respect to the machine for delivery of the severed roots at the side of the machine. In any event, conveyor means preferably is associated with the trough 6| for causing the severed roots to be moved upwardly through the same.

The said conveyor means may be of any suitable type and is illustrated in the drawings by way of example as comprising a pair of endless chains 52 disposed at the sides of the trough 6| and guided by rollers 53 to have their upper reaches travel at the bottom of said trough. At the upper end of said trough is a transverse shaft 54 having thereon sprocket wheels 65 over which the chains 62 extend so that by rotation of said shaft the chains are driven. The chains are connected by cross members 66 which extend 6 across the bottom of the trough so that they act to move the roots upwardly when the shaft 64 is rotated in a direction to cause the upper reaches of the chains to travel upwardly. On.

one end of the shaft 64 is a bevel gear 61 with which meshes a bevel gear 68 on a power take-off shaft 69 connected to the rear end of one of thehelix 43, with a longitudinally extending knife 10 for cooperation with the other roller to cut from the severed root tops any root portion which may have been severed by the knives 58 and which may remain on the root tops. Any small pieces of root severed from the root tops by the knives 19 fall between the rollers 42, 42 onto the trough iii and are conveyed to and discharged from the upper end of said trough by the conveyor. On the other hand, the severed root tops are swept laterally outward from the tops of the screw members 39 by an arm 1| on a shaft 12 which is journaled in a bearing carried by the plate 30 and which carries a pinion 13 in mesh with one of the pinion gears 51 whereby it is rotatably driven.

Means in the form of a bar 14 is provided for dividing the root tops which project above the screw members 39 and for folding them downwardly against and holding them engaged with the tops of said screw members whereby the gripping action of the latter upon the tops is enhanced and the efficiency of the machine is correspondingly increased. The bar 14 is simply a gravity bar which rests in the crotch between the screw members 39, 39 at the tops thereof and by its weight performs the function stated. It is free to rise and fall to cooperate with root tops of varying thicknesses and may be held operatively positioned relative to the screw members 39 in any suitable manner as, for example, by being pivoted at its front end to the arched mem ber 28. Preferably said bar is composed ofa plurality of articulated sections so as best to perform its functions.

In operation, the machine is drawn forwardly by a tractor to which it is hitched, and as it is drawn forwardly the tractor is employed to drive the shaft 52 and thereby drive the operating parts of the machine in the manner and for the purposes heretofore stated. The depth at which the plows l6 operate obviously may be regulated at will and, moreover, the level of the front end portion of the inner frame 23 likewise may be regulated at will to dispose the front end portions of the chains 44 at most advantageous elevations. Furthermore, it will be noted that the levers 2B and 2| are advantageously located at the front of the machine where they are accessible for manipulation by the driver of the tractor emplayed for pulling and supplying power to the machine.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings it is believed that the construction and operation of the present machine will be clearly understood and its advantages appreciated. It is desired to point out, however, that while only a single specific structural embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, the same is readily capable of many structural variations and refinements within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims.

Ii'folaim:

a root: harvesting machine of the: type; comprising a:. pair:of" upwardly.- and; rearwardly. incline'dxrotatablei. screw; members; disposed; 111i side to side's relationship to: grip the: root: tops": therebetween" and to elevate V the tops with. the;

roots: attachedlthereto, knife means mounted in the path oi the beets while they are elevated by Z IIn-a root harvesting machine oi the type:

comprising apair'of upwardly and rearwardly inclined-rotatable screw members disposed in side to'si'de relationship to grip the roottops thereb'etweenand-to elevate-the tops with the roots attached" thereto,- knife means mounted in the path of the beet's while they are'elevated by said screws for cuttingthe roots from the tops, and an elongated bar disposed in the crotch between the screw members at the tops thereof andex-- tending contiguously to said screw members throughout major portions of the lengths thereof to-fold the root' tops downwardly against and to maintainth'em engaged with the tops of said screw members toienhance'the grip of the latter upon the tops, said bar being freely movable vertically: and acting-byits Weight to maintain the root tops engaged with'the tops of the screw members.

3. A-root harvestingmachine as set forth in claim -z in which the bar'is 'connected to apart 1: th mach'ine 'to be retained in its operative position relative to the screw membersi 4'. A- rootharvesting machine as set forth in claim2in which the ba-ris composed'of a pluralitya-ofarticulated sections.

5. Ina rcot harvesting machine of the type comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined' rotatabl'escrew members'disposed in side by side-"relationship; to grip the roo-t'tops there'- between and to: elevate the tops with the roots attached thereto, knife means mounted in thepath of the beets while they-are elevated by said screws for cutting the roots from the tops, and other knife means carriedby at least one of the screw members for cooperation-with the other screw 'member to cut irom the severed roottops any portions ofthe root-swhich may not have been severed from the tops-by the first-'mentioned knife means.

6:,In a root harvesting machine of the type comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disposed in side by side relationship, to grip the root tops therebetween and to elevate the tops ofthe roots at tached'thereto, knife means mounted'in thepath Of the. beets-while they are elevated by said screws for'cutting the roots from' the tops; and a knife element carried by each of thescrew members for: cooperation with the other screw member'to cutfrom the roottops severed bysaid knifemeans. anyportion's of the roots which may not havetbeensevered from the'to-ps' by said'knife means.

'7. Inza root harvestingmachine' of the type comprising apair of upwardly; and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disposed in side totside relationship to' grip the root tops therebetween and toelevate" the tops withv the rootsv attached thereto, knife meansmountedxzinizthe screws -for cutting thero'ots F fromtheitops; and;

means com'prisinga-zpainofi'endlessachairrsrhavingr substantially horizontally: disposed-i portions -de-' 1 fininga forwardly flaring: root"? top? gathering:

mouth and: a narrow root top: bunching ithroatiati the rear of said mouth' fordirectingtherootitopsz between the .forwardEends of said .screw members.

Int at root harvesting machine 10-15 the type. comprising a pairo-f upwardly; and: rearwardlyinclined rotatable screw members disposed in v side; to side -relationshipvto grip.:the: root topslthere-- between and to elevate'ithe topsi-with the rootsiattached thereto',: knife: means mounted; in the: path :of the beets while they are: elevatediby said: screws 'for cuttingthe roots "iromith'e tops; means:v for conveying the roots to a discharge point,= and' a painof cooperating rotatable disks "beneath said knifemea'ns' to intercept 1 the roots" and 5110. movethem to said'conveying means:

9;. In at root harvesting: machine of the; type" comprising a. pair of: upwardly and: rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members-disposed in side to side relationship togrip the root tops therebe-= tween and to elevatethe topsvvith the: roots atta'ched thereto a pair of rotatable substantially verticalshaitsiat the outer sides of said 'screw members near'the'rearends thereof; ai-p'air of disk-type knives on said" shafts b'elow said screw members for severing the elevated" roots from the tops; conveyormeans at the -rear of the-machine for conveying the roots-to a' point of discharge; and a -pair=of=disks on 'and'rotatab1e with said shafts and disposed I beneath said knives to intercept the severed rootsand to shift themlupon said conveyormeansi 10. In a root harvesting ma'chine of th'e ti'p'e comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disp'osediin side to'side 'relationship' togrintheroO-t tops there-=- between and to 'elevate the tops with theroots attached thereto; a-pair 0f rotatable substantially vertical shaf-t's at the outer side of said screw members near the rear ends thereof, apairof disk type kniveson said shafts below said 'screw members for severing'the elevated roots from the tops, sprock et'wheels on -said shafts beneath saidlenives; guide rollers carried bythe machine-ad jacent to the 'fro-n't endsof said screw member'sf anda pair otiendlesschains extending over said sprocket wheels and said guide rollers and cooperatirigto gather'an'd bunch the root top's and' to direct them between-said screw mem'bers.

iii Ina: root harvesting maehine orthe type comprising: a- 'main framewheel supported at its rear end and' provided at its-- front end with meansfor attaching it to a traotorran inner frame pivoted, at itstrear end' upon the-wheel axles,- lever: means for raising and lowering the front end oi said inner frame relative to said main" frame; plow: means carried by the main frame and '-ve-rtically adjustable relative th 'ereto' for plowing: at-difierent depths'to loosen the roots; a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclinedrotatable 1 screw members carried by the innerr frame and 'disposed in side :to'side-relationshipito grip th'e -roo-ttops therebetween" and to elevate the topswith the ro0ts attached thereto; a pair of rotatable: substantially vertically disposed shafts carriedby the inner frame at the outer sideslofr saids'screw members nearitthe rear 'endsthereof, means to: utilize power: derived:.from l the ;tractor for rotating said :shaitszandrrsaid screw members, aiipairx ofroooperatin'g disk-type'lknives carried. by saidlshaftsforcooperating to'severl therroots'irom.

the tops, a sprocket wheel on each shaft beneath said knives, and a pair of endless chains driven by said sprocket wheels, respectively, and extending forwardly therefrom to points adjacent to the front ends of said screw members for cooperation with each other to gather and bunch the root tops and to direct them between said screw members.

12. In a root harvesting machine of the type comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disposed in side to side relationship, to grip the root tops therebetween and to elevate the tops with the roots attached thereto, knife means mounted in the path of the beets while they are elevated by said screws for cutting the roots from the tops, other knife means carried by at least one of the screw members for cooperation with the other screw member to cut from the severed root tops any portions of the roots which may not have been severed from the top by the first-mentioned knife means, and means to sweep the severed root tops from the tops of said screw members.

13. In a root harvesting machine of the type comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disposed in side to side relationship, to grip the root tops therebetween and to elevate the tops with the roots attached thereto, knife means mounted in the path of the beets while they are elevated by said screws for cutting the roots from the tops, other knife means carried by at least one of the screw members for cooperation with the other screw members to cut from the severed root tops any portions of the roots which may not have been severed from the tops by the first-mentioned knife means, and an arm swingable across the upper rear end portions of said screw members for sweeping the severed root tops from the tops of said screw members.

14. In a root harvesting machine of the type set forth in claim 8, wherein there is means disposed in the crotch between the screw members at the tops thereof and extending contiguously to said screw members throughout major portions of the lengths thereof to fold the root tops downwardly against and to maintain them engaged with the tops of said screw members to enhance the grip of the latter upon the tops, said means being freely movable vertically and acting by its weight to maintain the root tops engaged with the tops of the screw members.

15. In a root harvesting machine of the type set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said knife elements extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of its supporting screw member.

16. In a root harvesting machine of the type comprising a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined rotatable screw members disposed in side by side relationship, tc'grip the root tops therebetween and to elevate the tops of the beets attached thereto, means disposed above and between the screw members and extending throughout substantially the major portion of the lengths thereof to fold the root tops downwardly against and to maintain them engaged with the tops of said screw members to enhance the grip of the latter upon the tops, knife means mounted in the path of the beets while they are elevated by said screws for cutting the roots from the tops, and other knife means carried by at least one of the screw members and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof for cooperation with the other screw member to cut from the severed root tops any portions of the roots which may not have been severed from the tops by the first-mentioned knife means.

1?. In a root harvesting machine of the type set forth in claim 16, wherein there is means for conveying the several portions of the roots to a discharge point, and wherein there is a rotatable means disposed in substantially vertical alinement with and beneath both of said knife means for moving the said severed root portions to the conveying means.

CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 1,256,642 Barber Feb. 19, 1918 1,298,708 Hermann Apr. 1, 1919 1,280,207 Glaze Oct. 1, 1918 1,306,673 Daniels June 10, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 426,318 British 1935 

